Recently...

This posting is for little other purpose than to keep the blog alive. It may be that 2 blogs is too much for me. However, I will likely never concede that opinion and just limp this one along. It also may be that I will revive this blog and send it to the top of the list of most visited blogs on the web. Until then...

If nothing else, I can provide a list of notable works of literature that I have enjoyed in the last few months.


***Currently Reading:

TIME magazine - every week, or when I make time to catch up.

The Bible - reading through with the family for the second time. First time took us nearly 6 years at approx. 1 paragraph per night. Currently in the 31st chapter of Genesis.

A Heart for Freedom by Chai Ling - Reading this with Bec. Currently half way through the book. Quite an enlightening perspective on the oppression and modern history of China.

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien - Reading this with the family. This has also taken over a year to read aloud to Ella and Bec. We nearly have the Hobbits home again. Middle Earth has been saved.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli - If I were anticipating the takeover of a medieval kingdom, I would be taking notes. Does Machiavelli get a bad rap? I wonder...

The Supreme Court by Jeffrey Rosen - Listening to this on audio book while I drive. Fascinating. Unfortunately I should be taking notes - difficult while driving.


***Recently Read:

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding - Basically everything you need to know about the makings of anarchy.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey - I have so much to learn.

One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick - A Marine Recon officer's account of his experience with the Marines and his time in Afghanistan and Iraq. Interesting seeing the battle from such a limited perspective. He limits the reader's access to plans and intel - to mimic his own experience. No omnipotent point of view here. Also no role for Stallone or Schwarzenegger.

The Great Deluge by Douglas Brinkley - If I was to define objective - Brinkley's handling of hurricane Katrina would be included in the definition. Very poignant.

San Francisco is Burning by Dennis Smith - Not sure how I got on this track of reading about destroyed American cities. Waiting for the real thing...

Several others that either elude me or have not been worth my time.


***Failed Attempt:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - I became so depressed reading this that I gave up shortly after the murder. Someone please tell me if there is light at the end of that dark Russian tunnel. If so, I may try again.